Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i says due process was followed in the appointment of Prof Laban Ayiro as Moi University acting vice-chancellor.
On Wednesday, Matiang’i told off those contesting Prof Ayiro’s appointment telling to ‘grow up’, adding that the procedure was in line with the Universities Act, 2012.
“In doing that work, there is law that we follow. There is statute. The management of universities, the appointment of vice chancellors is governed by the Universities Act 2012. What I need someone to do is to pull out that Act and point out the mistake that I have made. That is all. As a country, we also have to grow up and deal with things differently because this is a straight forward matter covered by statute,” said Matiang’i as quoted by capitalfm.co.ke.
On Tuesday, local leaders led by Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Alex Tolgos and 10 MPs led protests at the university demanding that the minister names a substantive VC for the university based on merit.
They said it was wrong for Matiang'i to name an acting VC despite the University Council having concluded the recruitment process.
He said as a minister, he cannot engage in politics as the law does not allow him and urged the leaders to keep politics out of the matter and instead focus on the gains to be made by appointing a qualified individual as the VC.
The process of appointing a substantive Vice Chancellor is ongoing.
“I do not actually know what you want me to say about the appointment of the vice chancellor at Moi University but I signed the letter. I did. I do not like participating in these kinds of things. You must draw a line between politics and the technical work we do,” the CS said during the Innovation Africa 2016 conference in Nairobi.
“I cannot respond to political leaders because I am not one of them. I am dealing with the technical work I have been asked to do as a public servant by the President.”